FACT CHECK: K to 12 program still in effect for school year 2026-2027

Claim: The Department of Education (DepEd) abolished the K to 12 program for the upcoming school year 2026 to 2027.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook page named “Viral Trend,” with more than 62,000 followers, posted the claim on January 13. It has received more than 400 reactions, 22 comments, and 1,900 shares as of writing.

The post uses DepEd’s logo and the text “DepEd Announcement.” The caption claims that DepEd, along with the Commission on Higher Education, officially announced the removal of the K to 12 program after “a long period of evaluation and consultation.”

Multiple comments on the post expressed hope that the alleged announcement was legitimate.

The facts: The K to 12 program has not been abolished, and it remains in effect for the upcoming school year 2026 to 2027.

Last November, DepEd released an advisory debunking false claims related to the supposed removal of the program.

The agency reminded the public to exercise caution when reading information online and advised against following pages that spread false content and to report these pages instead.

For official announcements, follow DepEd’s official website and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

K to 12 implementation: The K to 12 program, which added two years to basic education, is mandated by law under Republic Act No. 10533 or the “Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.”

In January 2025, following calls to review the senior high school curriculum, DepEd announced the phased rollout of the “decongested” K to 12 program, which reduces the core subjects for Grades 11 and 12 to just “5 to 7 important subjects.” (READ: What the revised K to 12 program will look like)

Repeatedly debunked: Similar claims about the supposed removal of the program have circulated since last year, posted by various accounts and pages claiming to provide official government announcements.

Rappler has previously debunked these false claims:

• FACT CHECK: K to 12 program not abolished for school year 2026-2027
• FACT CHECK: No online survey on abolishing K to 12 program
• FACT CHECK: K to 12 program not abolished

– Princess Leah Sagaad/Rappler.com

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